Who is Taparica the Tambour from The Viceroy of Ouidah and what is their importance?

Taparica the Tambour is Dom Francisco's right-hand man. A former slave in Portugal who was freed and joined that country's Black Militia, he is the only soldier left at the Portuguese Fort when Francisco first arrives in Ouidah. Taparica proves to be a loyal and useful assistant to Dom Francisco. He gives good advice, is protective of his master, and seems to genuinely like and respect Francisco. Indeed, this is the only relationship in the entire novel in which two people appear to maintain an appreciation of each other.